RAF typhoons intercept Russian Air Force jets flying close to NATO border

14 June 2023 , 20:13

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RAF Typhoons intercepted three Russian jets flying close to NATO airspace today (Image: @RoyalAirForce/Twitter)

RAF Typhoons have intercepted three Russian Air Force Jets flying close to NATO airspace this afternoon.

Typhoons from 140 EAW in Estonia were scrambled to intercept the Russian jets - a Russian Air Force IL-20 COOT A and two Su-27 FLANKER B - that failed to comply with international norms by not liaising with relevant Flight Information Regions (FIRs), the Royal Air Force said in a tweet this evening.

The RAF tweeted: "RAF Typhoons from 140 EAW in Estonia were scrambled this afternoon to intercept a Russian Air Force IL-20 COOT A and 2x Su-27 FLANKER B flying close to @NATO airspace.

"The Russian aircraft failed to comply with international norms by not liaising with relevant FIRs. #WeAreNATO."

The Russian jets were not complying with international norms, the RAF said (@RoyalAirForce/Twitter)

It comes as RAF Typhoons currently deployed to Estonia and Cyprus joined around 250 aircraft from 25 nations to take part in NATO's largest air exercise of the year, Exercise Air Defender in Germany, yesterday.

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The main aim of the exercise is to test NATO's collective aerial response to an attack on a member state.

Squadron Leader Edward Owen said: "The exercise is the ultimate demonstration of the RAF's ability to take part in large-scale warfighting scenarios by deploying assets forward from several units, including from already deployed locations.

"This deployment of air assets is a clear message of the credible defence that our combined air power can present to any potential adversary.

"Our efforts to ensure the availability of our aircraft is testament to the skill and commitment of all the personnel involved in the preparation, execution, and sustainment phases of this exercise."

RAF Typhoons from 140 EAW in Estonia were scrambled this afternoon to intercept three Russian Air Force jets (@RoyalAirForce/Twitter)

On June 8, RAF Typhoons based at Amari airbase in Estonia and Swedish Air Force Gripens were scrambled to intercept a Russian Air Force IL-20 ‘COOT’ A and Su-27 ‘FLANKER’ B flying close to NATO and Swedish airspace.

Also last week, the Russian aircraft failed to communicate with the relevant FIRs, however, they remained in international airspace and flew in a professional manner, according to the Government website.

Typhoons were again scrambled on June 9 to intercept AN12 ‘CUB’ and one AN72 ‘COALER’ flying south from mainland Russia towards the Kaliningrad Oblast.

Chiara Fiorillo